Process for manufacturing solid cork bodies and the like



Patented Aug 2, 1927;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ononqn SCHELLHAAS, or rRAnxnNrnAL-rrALz, GERMANY.

. R Drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in the methods employed, to manufacture pressed bodies of granular cork or other substances which possessed a maximum degree of hardness and durability and havin a specific gravity equal to that of oak woo or over.

In the processes heretofore employed, and which are outside the scope of this invention, diluted blood albumen or other binding mediums were. combined with granulated cork or similar substances and in this wet condition pressed in moulds under pressure of about 16,500 pounds per square inch. Under this high pressure the binder is forced from the core or innermost part of the body toward the surface and even between the walls of the mould and the pressed mass. Due to the applied heat it dries ver quickly. The heat acts first to dry the inder near the surface and that portion of the binder which is forced between the mass and the moulds. This pro duces an air ti ht jacket or casing around the whole whic prevents the drying of the interior of the compressed material, in view of the fact, that the humidity generated by the imprisoned steam is held captive within the mass.

When the said outer jacket is cut or broken away, in products manufactured by 40 the old process 'just described, it will be found that the inner mass or body crumbles and falls apart due to its still wet condition.

The object of this invention is to overcome the objectional feature above set forth and further to provide a finished product which will possess a maximum hardness-and specific gravity equal to that of oak wood, or over.

A further object is to provide a process requiring a minimum amount of labor, heat andtime to produce the finished product.

The above objects are attained by the method herein described and claimed.

Application filed May 11, 1926. Serial No. 108,417.

The process embodied in this invention 65 com rises the following various steps e granular cork or substance is thoroughly mixed with a suitable binding medium and is allowed to dry, in its unpressed condition, in the open air. This procedure allows the cells of the granular substance to remain open and permits the entire mass to thoroughly dry throughout. The dried mass of granular particles is then compressed in suitable moulds under pressure of 16,500 pounds per square inch and subjectgd to a heat up to 130 degrees centigra e.

As soon as the binding medium has reached its melting point, it, especially blood. albumen, becomes liquid for the fraction of a second and then hard, so that the actual binding takes only a few minutes according. to the size of the mass, whereas heretofore, days were required to dry the product.

While blood albumen is applicable as a binder this invention particularly comprehends the use of fresh blood. Such use is novel in this process and reduces the operations, use of heat, and time necessary to manufacture the finished product, inasmuch as the first stage, namely the mixing of the granular particles and fresh blood, may be accomplished in the vicinity of a slaughterhouse where fresh blood is available. The mixture is then allowed to dry as hereinbefore set forth, after which it maybe transported to the point or place where the finished product is made. In this dried form the mass may be stored and permitted to stand for a considerable time as a raw product andwithout danger of deterioration before shaping or completion.

. Another important feature of this invention and novel therein, is the fact that the mixture of,- granular substance and'binder is dried and subsequently this dried mixture is compressed and heated to produce the finished product.

Bodies of granular cork or other substances made in accordance with this invention have been found to possess hardness heretofore never. attainedand are particularly advantageous for machine pulleys in which use they surpass cast iron pulleys. The product may also be applied as a floor covering or is applicable for numerous other uses.

What is claimed:

1. The herein described process for manufacturing articles of pressed granular substances, consisting in mixing a binding medium with granular substances, permitting the substance to dry in the open air and Without pressure, compressing the vsaid dried.

mass under a pressure of 16,500 pounds to the square inch and subjecting same to heat up to 130 degrees Centigrade, without reexpansion after release of said pressure and heat.

GEORGE SCHELLHAAS. 

